Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has made headlines in recent weeks with his decisions to cut off funding to an Arab organization that helps newcomers learn English and banning British MP George Galloway from entering Canada, on the grounds that he supports Middle East terrorism. A Canadian spokesperson confirmed that the Respect MP had been deemed inadmissible on national security grounds and would not be allowed into the country.
Galloway responded calling the ban “idiotic” and vowed to fight the ruling with “all means” at his disposal. He is due to give a speech in Toronto on March 30, 2009.
Galloway has been banned because of his views on Afghanistan and the presence of Canadian troops there, and would be turned away if he attempted to enter the country.
Canadian Jewish Congress head Bernie Farber, who staunchly opposes Galloway’s views, argued that the MP does have the right to speak in Canada – although not to promote or raise money for Hamas.
Expelled from the ruling Labour Party in 2003 for opposing the invasion of Iraq, Galloway now sits in Britain’s parliament as the sole member of Respect, an anti-war grouping.
